the news of great joy which will be for you and for all people.
'For this night is born for you, in the city of David, the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. This shall be a token: you shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.
'And suddenly with the Angel appears a multitude of angels, praising God and saying:
'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good-will.'
The shepherds stay not, nor linger with their flocks.
They hasten to the stable, and there they behold Mary, and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.
Happy shepherds, pure hearts, simple souls; after Mary and Joseph the first of earth to worship the new-born King. To please God in all their ways was the one aim of these holy men, these shepherds of Judea.
